European stocks on track for second weekly gains

European stocks fell on Friday away from two-week highs on active profit-taking, with European stocks heading for the second weekly profits in a row on improved risk appetite.

The Dow Jones Stoxx Europe 600 fell 0.5% as of 11:15 GMT away from February 28 highs, after closing up 0.45% yesterday.

The Stoxx Europe index gave up ground away from two-week highs with most sectors in the red, led by the automotive industry, which fell 2.5%.

The Stoxx Europe index is still up a solid 4% so far this week on track for weekly gains.

Risk appetite has improved considerably amid ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine and hopes for a ceasefire agreement soon.

In Europe, the Euro Stoxx 50 fell 1.1%, while France's CAC 40 fell 1.2%, as Germany's DAX tumbled 1.5%, while London's Financial Times 100 shed 0.6%.

S&P 500 futures fell 0.3% today after a 1.25% spike yesterday, marking two-week highs.